July 23, 2009

Realistic robot models wedding gowns

by ssavage

A realistic female humanoid robot developed by a Japanese national institute made its public debut modeling wedding gowns on an Osaka catwalk.

The HRP-4C robot, created by Kazuhito Yokoi of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, modeled wedding gowns created by fashion designer Yumi Katsura at a hotel Wednesday in Osaka, Kyodo News reported Thursday.

I wanted to use it for fashion and entertainment, Yokoi said of his 5-foot-2 creation.

The researcher stood by in a tuxedo as the 95-pound robot took small steps down the catwalk.

''I feel happy, and at the same time lonely, just like a bride's father,'' Yokoi said.